Alpine, Chatuga Valley, October 20, 1864. Got here at dark last night, eight miles from Summerville. We seemed to be headed southwest. I have the sorest feet I have enjoyed for two years. Do you notice how accurately I miss it in every prediction I venture? I am a fair sample of the ignorance “Pap” [...]
October 20th.–Cloudy. There is a street rumor of a battle below, and on the Petersburg line. The wind is from the west, and yet we hear no guns. The Secretary of the Treasury sent to the Secretary of War today an argument showing that, without a violation of the Constitution, clerks appointed to places created [...]
October 19th. Early this morning, at daylight, we heard the guns at a distance. We knew by the sound that a hot battle was on, up the valley. We waited for a report but none came. We knew by the sound that our boys were falling back. It was an anxious time for us. Our [...]
Near Summerville, October 19, 1864. Reached this place yesterday. The cavalry advance had some sharp skirmishing, and brought back some two or three prisoners. We are drawing full rations, besides preying off the country, all kinds of meat, apples, potatoes, and I believe the men find a little of everything known to be eatable. Entering [...]
October 19th.–Bright and beautiful. Still all quiet below, the occasional bombarding near Petersburg being beyond our hearing. Yesterday, Gen. Preston, a millionaire, who can stalk stiffly anywhere, had an interview with the President, who admitted that he had dictated the General Orders–” 76,” “77,” “78,”–rushing almost everybody into the army, but that it was not [...]
October 18th. All quiet since the last date. Nothing special to record. Our regular routine has been going on through the days, picket and labor. When time permits we have to drill and have dress parade. Sunday morning inspection comes regular.
La Fayette, October 18, 1864. Our brigade was marching through Cane Creek Valley yesterday until 4 p.m., when we struck out for this place five miles, which we made in one and one-half hours. Nice little town almost surrounded with half-mountains. There has been a pair of cavalry fights here, the fruits whereof can be [...]
October 18th.–Cloudy and cool. Quiet below, but it is rumored that the enemy has erected one or two sand batteries, mounted with 400-pounders, bearing on our fleet of gun-boats. The following dispatch was received from Gen. Hood to-day: “9 Miles South of Lafayette, Ga., “Oct. 15th, via Selma, Oct. 17th, 1864. “Gen. Bragg. “This army [...]
October 18th.–Ten pleasant days I owe to my sister. Kate has descended upon me unexpectedly from the mountains of Flat Rock. We are true sisters; she understands me without words, and she is the cleverest, sweetest woman I know, so graceful and gracious in manner, so good and unselfish in character, but, best of all, [...]
October 17, 1864. I incline to think that the raid and pursuit are both over, though we wish that Sherman would follow them until they get the punishment they deserve for their impudence. They tore up some 20 miles of railroad, killed and wounded not over 750 for us, and captured about 1,100. Their loss [...]
October 17th.–Bright and beautiful. Still all quiet below, and reinforcements (details revoked) are not arriving–1000 per day. The Northern news makes some doubt as to the result of the election in Pennsylvania. From the Valley we have rumors of victory, etc. A thrill of horror has been produced by a report that Gen. Butler has, [...]
North end Snake Creek Gap, October 16, 1864. After a tedious march got here at 11 p.m. The Rebels about six hours ahead of us had blockaded the road in good style. They did some half a day’s work, with hundreds of men, and delayed us about–ten minutes. On summit of Taylor’s Ridge, Shipp’s Gap, [...]
October 16th, Sunday.–A pleasant sunny Sabbath morn. The quiet below continues. Not a gun has been heard for three days; the longest intermission we have had for many months. What can it mean? Sheridan has spread desolation in the Shenandoah Valley, perhaps to prevent Early from penetrating Pennsylvania, etc., intending to come with all expedition [...]
Resaca, October 15, 1864, 10 a.m. We are waiting here for rations. The 4th and 14th Corps are ahead, and for the last half hour we have heard very heavy skirmishing toward “Snake Creek Gap,” just about where we heard the first fighting of the campaign, a little over five months ago. There is enough [...]
Calhoun, Ga., October 15, 1864. Stayed here last night. Reveille at 3 a.m., but our brigade brings up the rear of the corps to-day, and we won’t get off until after daylight.
October 15th.–A bright and glorious day–above. All was quiet yesterday below, indicating that the enemy suffered severely in the last assault on our lines. But we have nothing from Georgia. From the Valley, our cavalry had the misfortune to lose eleven guns by indiscreetly venturing too far in pursuit. And the news from the United [...]
Three miles southwest of Adairsville, October 14th. We marched at sunset last evening and halted not until 3 this a.m. Marched miserably slow the first five miles through a deep gorge, but about 1 o’clock got straightened out on the Rome and Calhoun road, a good one, and then got along nicely. In the fighting [...]
October 14th.–The following dispatch from Gen. Lee cheered the city this morning. None of the particulars of the battle have yet transpired, and all are looking hourly for a renewal of the contest. “Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, “October 13th, 1864. “Hon. James A. Seddon, Secretary Of War. “At seven o’clock this morning the enemy [...]
October 13th. The long roll called us up very early, before daylight. We turned out on double-quick time leaving camp on the run, out on the Winchester Pike. When out a short distance came to a halt. After waiting a while, was ordered to return to camp. Wondering what it meant. Later in the day [...]
Three miles from Rome, Ga., October 13, 1864. Started at 8 this morning and landed here at dark. Heard 40 or 50 cannon shots in vicinity of Rome during the day’s march. The country to-day is fair for Georgia, but not equal to that between Cartersville and Kingston. While we were resting to-day, Osterhaus (at [...]
October 13th.–Rained all night; clear and cool this morning. The government publishes nothing from Georgia yet; but it is supposed there is intelligence of an important character in the city, which it would be impolitic to communicate to the enemy. All still remains quiet below the city. But the curtain is expected to rise on [...]
October 1st to 12th. Nothing special has taken place between these dates. Picket duty, and plenty of hard work, has been the order of each day as they come and go. Business is improving in the town. Many places are opening up, ready for business. Trains running quite regular. Lieutenant-Colonel Peale returned to the regiment, [...]
Three miles south of Kingston, October 12, 1864. Started at daylight this morning. The Rebels were then at Rome. Stopped here at 5 p.m. It is understood that the Rebel Army has moved southwest into Alabama. Passed through the best country to-day that we have seen in Georgia. We are camped on what has been [...]
October 12th.–Bright and beautiful. All quiet below, save an occasional booming from the fleet. Nothing from Georgia in the papers, save the conjectures of the Northern press. No doubt we have gained advantages there, which it is good policy to conceal as long as possible from the enemy. Squads of able-bodied detailed men are arriving [...]
Allatoona Pass, October 11, 1864. Our corps moved at the setting of the sun, and continued moving until we were all confoundedly tired. I never saw the men so noisy, funny, or in any way or every way feeling half so good. After we had marched about eight miles, one of Howard’s staff came back [...]